Avoiding Injuries In The Warehouse

August 22, 2013 No Comments

Workplace injuries are a potentially costly distraction from the day-to-day business of running a company.   Not only do they cause delays but they also expose the company to possible litigation; this is aside from the human cost of injury.   There is a particularly high risk of accidents in warehouses – people and vehicles are always moving around, products are often stacked high with the risk of falling and there is the potential for products to be left lying around where people can fall over them.

Most warehouse accidents are caused by:

• Slips and trips
• Working at height
• Manual handling
• Vehicular movement
• Falling or moving objects

By following simple rules, however, the risk of accidents can be reduced.

Careful warehouse design is crucial to safety.   Traffic routes should consider the types of vehicles to be used, reduce the need for reversing and avoid sharp or blind bends.   All routes should be clearly identified with rights of way, areas to be kept clear and other special areas properly marked.   Vehicular and traffic routes and pedestrian pathways must be clearly designated.

It is important that floors are correctly maintained to avoid potholes and the like and should be kept clear at all times.   If there is a spill or a route obstruction, pedestrian and vehicular traffic should be held up or diverted until the problem is cleared up.   This will reduce the risk of slips and falls.

Working at height poses a serious risk and should be kept to a minimum.   All work at height needs to be conducted with safety equipment in place and under appropriate supervision.   Staff should be alert not only to the risks of falling but also to the dangers posed by falling objects.

Problems associated with manual handling are similar to those that might be found in the home.   Injuries commonly result from poor lifting technique or attempting to lift too much.   These can be reduced by proper staff training.

Warehouse operators should make sure that they use good quality equipment that is specifically designed for the purpose to which it is put.   Shelving, palettes and carts need to be strong and durable while heavy equipment like cranes and forklift trucks must be reliable.   Staff handling this equipment should receive appropriate training in all facets of its operation and the equipment should be checked and serviced periodically to ensure that it is in a safe condition.

Staff training can also help keep warehouse accidents to a minimum.   All staff should be made aware of the dangers of working in a warehouse and how they can be avoided.   They should be familiar with the warehouse codes of conduct and rules regarding the use of pathways, traffic routes and general warehouse safety.   They should also be trained to be alert to potential dangers and to bring them to the immediate attention of supervisors.   Employers themselves need to be aware of the compliance regulations regarding warehouse operation and the storage of particular goods.

Employers and workers both benefit from the safe operation of warehouses.   It is both their interests to work together to reduce the risks of warehouse accidents.

About the author

Richard Deeley is the guest author of this article.  He works on behalf of Randstad recruitment UK as a part time PR consultant.  

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